01/21/2012

Placemat pillows...

Hi there!! If you are stopping by via Pinterest or from another link, thanks so much for coming! And, while you're at it, take a look around...there's lots of fun stuff to see!

I'm reposting a guest post that I did a couple of weeks ago over at Imagine Gnats today. It's a little pillow made using a placemat, so simple and cute! Recently, since this post first appeared, I stumbled across this little tutorial for a placemat clutch, also super easy and cute! Happy Weekend!

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I’m thrilled to be guest posting for Rachael. I love coming here to read about all of fantastic sewing projects, don’t you? It is funny to think about Rachael and I here in the blog world together...because a long long time ago we actually shared a different talent. A long long time ago when we were in High School, before I knew much at all about sewing, and when my crafting was friendship bracelets and bead necklaces...she and I sat next to each other in our high school band playing the french horn.

Who knew we would again share a “seat next to each other”. Who knew then that more than fifteen years into the future we would be sewing, crafting and blogging? I certainly didn’t!

So, how did I get here...? Slowly...When I left my first job to move to NYC with my then boyfriend (now husband) I received a refurbished Bernina sewing machine as a going away gift from my co workers. I used that sewing machine to sew up some new slip covers for our couch...then some pillows...then a memory quilt for my in-laws’ wedding anniversary...and then my first stuffed animals, wool stuffed elephants for my new nephews...

Those little wool elephants were really the beginning of Buzzmills...well, them and the dreaming, with Brad, of one day owning our own store...

The store, at the moment, is my little etsy shop where I sell my stuffed animals among other things...And the blog...is me...you will find crafty things to do with preschoolers or on your own...you will see new sewing projects...you will see the results of nature walks...and yes, you will see lots of pictures of my two kiddos...Violet and Henry...because, they are there for it all!

So, enough about me...wanna know more stop on by...

Today, I thought I’d share a fun quick little sewing project. Ha, I know, you are suffering from some serious post holidays project overload but still probably have a need to do something lazily creative! This is the project for you! Placemat pillows.

In the middle of my holiday project madness I found myself wanting to send off a balsalm filled festive pillow to my Dad in Florida as a Christmas gift, but alas...I was all out of pillows. Not wanting to cut and design a whole new pillow, but still wanting a thoughtful gift, I went to the store and bought this placemat.

Can you see where I’m going with this super simple project?

Fold the placemat in half with the right sides together...

Sew around the three sides leaving about a 3”-4” opening at the bottom...Trim the corners and then turn the placemat pillowcase right side out and stuff (add Balsam fir, if desired. Here is where I got mine). Sew up the opening using a ladder stitch. You will likely need to use a larger needle, like an embroidery needle to sew up the opening. Placemats are very stiff and it is hard to push through a small needle. Also, I used button thread which is super strong, almost like dental floss. I started with regular thread but it wasn't strong enough to pull through the extra thickness of the placemat.

Voila, there you have it! A simple, cute accent pillow that was inexpensive and super fast!

So easy that I had to make one for myself!

Seeing that all of the stores are now having holiday sales maybe you should go out and buy a handful of 50% off holiday placemats and get started on your holiday handmaking for 2012 now!!

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Placemat pillows...

Hi there!! If you are stopping by via Pinterest or from another link, thanks so much for coming! And, while you're at it, take a look around...there's lots of fun stuff to see!

I'm reposting a guest post that I did a couple of weeks ago over at Imagine Gnats today. It's a little pillow made using a placemat, so simple and cute! Recently, since this post first appeared, I stumbled across this little tutorial for a placemat clutch, also super easy and cute! Happy Weekend!

*****************************

I’m thrilled to be guest posting for Rachael. I love coming here to read about all of fantastic sewing projects, don’t you? It is funny to think about Rachael and I here in the blog world together...because a long long time ago we actually shared a different talent. A long long time ago when we were in High School, before I knew much at all about sewing, and when my crafting was friendship bracelets and bead necklaces...she and I sat next to each other in our high school band playing the french horn.

Who knew we would again share a “seat next to each other”. Who knew then that more than fifteen years into the future we would be sewing, crafting and blogging? I certainly didn’t!

So, how did I get here...? Slowly...When I left my first job to move to NYC with my then boyfriend (now husband) I received a refurbished Bernina sewing machine as a going away gift from my co workers. I used that sewing machine to sew up some new slip covers for our couch...then some pillows...then a memory quilt for my in-laws’ wedding anniversary...and then my first stuffed animals, wool stuffed elephants for my new nephews...

Those little wool elephants were really the beginning of Buzzmills...well, them and the dreaming, with Brad, of one day owning our own store...

The store, at the moment, is my little etsy shop where I sell my stuffed animals among other things...And the blog...is me...you will find crafty things to do with preschoolers or on your own...you will see new sewing projects...you will see the results of nature walks...and yes, you will see lots of pictures of my two kiddos...Violet and Henry...because, they are there for it all!

So, enough about me...wanna know more stop on by...

Today, I thought I’d share a fun quick little sewing project. Ha, I know, you are suffering from some serious post holidays project overload but still probably have a need to do something lazily creative! This is the project for you! Placemat pillows.

In the middle of my holiday project madness I found myself wanting to send off a balsalm filled festive pillow to my Dad in Florida as a Christmas gift, but alas...I was all out of pillows. Not wanting to cut and design a whole new pillow, but still wanting a thoughtful gift, I went to the store and bought this placemat.

Can you see where I’m going with this super simple project?

Fold the placemat in half with the right sides together...

Sew around the three sides leaving about a 3”-4” opening at the bottom...Trim the corners and then turn the placemat pillowcase right side out and stuff (add Balsam fir, if desired. Here is where I got mine). Sew up the opening using a ladder stitch. You will likely need to use a larger needle, like an embroidery needle to sew up the opening. Placemats are very stiff and it is hard to push through a small needle. Also, I used button thread which is super strong, almost like dental floss. I started with regular thread but it wasn't strong enough to pull through the extra thickness of the placemat.

Voila, there you have it! A simple, cute accent pillow that was inexpensive and super fast!

So easy that I had to make one for myself!

Seeing that all of the stores are now having holiday sales maybe you should go out and buy a handful of 50% off holiday placemats and get started on your holiday handmaking for 2012 now!!

Welcome...

I'm Jane, thanks for stopping by! I hope you take your time and take a look around...If you do you'll our adventures in sewing, creating, crafting, gardening and exploring...it's what gets us through the day and fullfills us!
Also, please note: All pictures and content, unless otherwise noted, are mine. Please do not copy or take images or content from this site without my permission and without linking back here. Thank you!
Questions? You can find out more about me, email me, and learn a bit about the name Buzzmills on my About Me page (found at the top of the page)